Effect of Introducing a Mini-Ergometer to the Ward Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic-Imposed Restrictions on Rehabilitation Centers on Physical Function: Cardiac Rehabilitation of Patients with Heart Failure.

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions had negative effects on cardiac rehabilitation. The difference in the location of cardiac rehabilitation practice during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased the amount of aerobic exercise and the patient's physical function at discharge. Therefore, we introduced a mini-ergometer to the ward to provide quantitative aerobic exercise. This study aimed to evaluate physical function at discharge after the introduction of a mini-ergometer to the ward in patients with heart failure. Methods: We included a total of 117 consecutive patients who were admitted to a university hospital and underwent a cardiac rehabilitation program for heart failure between June 2020 and September 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 54), which included those admitted before the introduction of the mini-ergometer, and Group B (n = 63), which included those admitted after the introduction of the mini-ergometer. Data, including age, sex, and functional status, were obtained. Additionally, the duration of each rehabilitation exercise was measured. Results: Group B had a significantly higher 6 min walking distance at discharge than Group A (Group A: 236.0 m vs. Group B: 290.0 m, p = 0.020). Furthermore, Group B had a significantly longer ergometer exercise duration than Group A (Group A: 0 min vs. Group B: 25.0 min, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results showed that the introduction of the mini-ergometer to the ward could ensure quantitative exercise loads even under restricted access to rehabilitation centers during the COVID-19 outbreak, thereby improving physical function at discharge in patients with heart failure.